KLRU announces an expansive slate of events and programs profiling the rich history, culture and contributions of African-Americans in honor of Black History Month. The programs air as part of KLRU’s celebration of Black History Month, February 2012. With new programs that delve into the archives of history, this year’s schedule provides an in-depth look at a variety of historical events from the post-Emancipation era to the rise of the black power movement. Additionally KLRU will host two free community events. Information is listed below.

Events:

KLRU Community Cinema
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7 p.m.
Location: Windsor Park Library, 5833 Westminster Drive
KLRU and the Windsor Park Library present monthly film screenings and discussions afterwards. The February event is in conjunction with Black History Month. Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a 29-year-old African American filmmaker, is on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. Through this tongue-in-cheek journey, More than a Month, investigates what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America. Join us for a free screening and discussion afterwards.

Arts In Context: The Relatives with The Isaac Sisters
Saturday, February 11 at 8 p.m. Doors at 7 p.m.
Location: KLRU Studio 6A, 26th and GuadalupeFree, but RSVP required. RSVP now
Join us for this very special taping of Arts In Context. Formed in the early 1970s by the Rev. Gean and Tommy West, the Relatives’ cut three genre-bending singles during their decade-long run that were too freaky for the church and too righteous for R&B radio. Though pioneers of an utterly singular sound, the Relatives never made a splash outside of Dallas and have remained virtually unknown even among serious record collectors. But all of that is changing with recent performances at ACL Music Festival in 2010 and backing Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears on the PBS television series Austin City Limits last year. Joining them will be The Isaac Sisters in their very first television appearance.

On Air:

Below is a list of programs on KLRU (18.1) during February to commemorate Black History Month. All programs are broadcast on KLRU 18-1 unless otherwise noted.

February 2 at 9 p.m.
Independent Lens “Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock” This film tells the story of Daisy Bates’ life and public support of nine black students who registered to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

February 6 at 9 p.m.
Underground Railroad: TheWilliam Still Story This film explores one man’s mission to help slaves escape to freedom. The inner workings of the Underground Railroad are explored through detailed records, diaries and other written accounts of the freedom seekers who made their way across the U.S. border to Canada.

February 6 at 10 p.m.
Up from the Bottoms: The Search for the American Dream This documentary tells the story of the massive migration of African Americans from the rural south to the prosperous north during the World War II years and beyond. They left behind the legacy of slavery and segregation and set out to find the American dream. Narrator Cicely Tyson guides us through these touching, thoughtful and often funny stories as told by fifteen residents of Muskegon, Michigan.

February 7 at 7 p.m.
Freedom Riders: An American Experience An encore presentation of the powerful and inspiration story of the more than 400 black and white men and women who, using non-violent tactics, risked their lives to challenge segregated travel facilities in the South in 1961. Repeats Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m.

February 9 at 9 p.m.
Independent Lens “Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975” In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Swedish television journalists came to America to document the burgeoning black power movement. The program includes interviews with seminal black power leaders such as Stokely Carmichael and Eldridge Cleaver as well as author/activist Angela Davis.

February 11 at 7 p.m.
Austin City Limits featuring Jimmy Cliff Jimmy Cliff first found fame as a teenager, with a string of hit singles in his native Jamaica. By the late 60s, reggae was in full flower and Cliff became one of its first international stars with “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” and “Vietnam,” which Bob Dylan called “the best protest song I’ve ever heard.” Cliff continues to record and tour all over the world, collaborating with Sting, Wyclef Jean and the Rolling Stones along the way. As popular now as he ever was, Jimmy Cliff is the international face of reggae and Austin City Limits presents this legend in a full-hour concert.

February 13 at 8 p.m.
Slavery By Another Name A Sundance Film Festival selection for 2012, this new documentary examines the concept of “neoslavery,” which sentenced African-Americans in the post-Emancipation South to forced labor for violating an array of laws that criminalized their everyday behavior. Laurence Fishburne narrates the film.

February 14 at 8 p.m.
Frontline “The Interrupters” Documentary follows a group of former gang leaders in Chicago who try to “interrupt” shootings and protect their communities from the violence they themselves once committed. It is a compelling observational journey into the stubborn, persistent violence that plagues American cities.

February 16 at 8 p.m.
Harpist’s Legacy: Ann Hobson Pilot and the Sound Change This program profiles the inspirational life and distinguished career of the revered harpist. This compelling documentary follows Ann Hobson Pilot’s trailblazing journey as the first black female principal player in a major symphony orchestra and also as an international soloist, teacher, mentor and driving force behind music-education programs for underserved minorities. A Harpist’s Legacy uses her professional journey to explore the increasing racial diversity and shift in attitudes toward musicians of color in the classical music world.

February 16 at 9 p.m.
Independent Lens “More Than A Month” An African-American filmmaker is on a cross-country campaign to end Black History Month. Through this tongue-in-cheek and thought-provoking journey, the film investigates what the treatment of history tells us about race and equality in a “post-racial” America.

February 20 at 10 p.m.
An Evening with Valerie Simpson Gwen Ifill interviews Valerie Simpson, who for more than 40 years wrote hit-making songs with her husband, the late Nick Ashford. As performers, their best-known duets are “Solid” and “Found a Cure.” This is an intimate tribute to their artistry, with performances by Patti Austin, Kindred The Family Soul and Valerie Simpson.

February 23 at 9:30 p.m.
Haunted Texas Ghost sightings are reported at an abandoned settlement made by former slaves after the Civil War. This program explores the history of the Peyton Colony, Texas, also known as Freedman’s Colony, a settlement established by former slaves after the Civil War.

February 24 at 9 p.m.
Great Performances “Memphis” Turn the radio dial back to the 1950s for the tale of a black singer, a white DJ, forbidden love and the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. The original Broadway cast members of the 2010 Tony Award-winner for Best New Musical reprise their roles in this roof-raising celebration of music.

February 27 at 10 p.m.
American Masters “Cab Calloway: Sketches” Cab Calloway, one of the first black musicians to tour the segregationist South and a regular performer at Harlem’s famous Cotton Club is profiled. Film showcases this exceptional figure in the history of jazz, a bandleader and singer who charmed audiences around the world with his boundless energy, bravado and elegant showmanship.

February 27 at 11 p.m.
In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues President and Mrs. Obama host this music special from the East Room. The all-star concert celebrates the great figures of the Blues genre and the songs they made famous – from John Lee Hooker to Muddy Waters.

On KLRUQ (18.3)
February 12 at 10 p.m.
Fly Boys: Western Pennsylvania’s Tuskegee Airmen
This docmunetary tells the story of struggle and the ultimate triumph of the brave African-American soldiers who served their country during World War II. The film chronicles the “Tuskegee Airmen” program, a controversial military initiative designed to measure African-Americans’ competence for flying the engines of war. This fascinating documentary features the stories of the more than 40 aviators from western Pennsylvania, including the pilots, navigators and bombardiers who flew fighter and bomber planes during the war, as well as the maintenance and support staff, instructors and personnel who kept the planes in the air.